AUSTIN — A day after the University of Texas System announced UT-Austin President Bill Powers would step down in June 2015 — ending a standoff over when to resign that many thought would end with his firing — the chairman of the system's board of regents lashed out at unnamed outside meddlers and those who sent “insulting and disparaging comments” to its chancellor.

At a regents meeting Thursday, the chancellor, Francisco Cigarroa, also rejected speculation that Powers had been asked to resign because of accusations that lawmakers wielded undue influence in university admissions.

Chairman Paul Foster asked that “people who take it upon themselves to send derogatory, sometimes threatening notes to this chancellor think twice about how harmful and disrespectful that is, not only to all things UT but to his family and colleagues.”

Foster and Cigarroa would not identify who sent the notes. Cigarroa said they were not personally threatening.

The UT System is launching a full investigation of UT's admissions and Cigarroa outlined new best practices for admission at Thursday's meeting. But, he said, “I did not ask President Powers to resign because of my concerns related to the admissions.”

“The facts on this admissions issue are simply not known at this time,” Cigarroa said.

He said there wasn't one particular issue that led to his request for Powers' resignation but added, “From my perspective, it's an issue of, 'Can we trust each other with communication without it going viral?'”

Though happy with the resolution reached Wednesday “to effect an orderly transition in leadership,” Foster said he “was not pleased with the manner in which some of the competing interests and tactics were used by others as Chancellor Cigarroa and Executive Vice Chancellor (Pedro) Reyes attempted to exercise their oversight responsibilities and their judgments on a sensitive personnel matter.”

The chairman's statement amounted to a laundry list of behavioral requests of nearly all the groups involved in the saga, some of which included:

Board members, who Foster said should discharge their duties while protecting confidential information, treating fellow regents “in a collegial and respectful manner” and allowing the chancellor and university presidents the flexibility to “lead by using their best judgments.”

University leaders who should recognize the board's governance responsibilities and the system leadership's oversight role and “cooperate fully with inquiries” to improve things.

Lawmakers, of whom Foster said, “I do not feel it is appropriate for the Legislature to try to influence personnel actions at one of our institutions.”

Foster said he hoped “we never revisit this unfortunate chapter in the history of our great state.”

“It's time for people to put their swords down and look to the future,” Cranberg said.

Powell called Foster's statement “good advice for us all.”

Even before Foster spoke, that sentiment seemed to be in practice during the meeting.

Powers went before system regents to pitch two capital projects he'd like them to ask lawmakers to help fund, to ask to establish a doctor of medicine degree program at UT-Austin's budding medical school, and other items. All sailed to approval from the regents.

Collectively, all UT System institutions are asking for $1.9 billion worth of projects, using a funding mechanism called tuition revenue bonds. University systems issue the bonds and pledge revenues, including tuition, to pay the debt. Historically, the state has reimbursed bond payments from general revenue.

The board unanimously agreed to submit all the requests to the Legislature.

Romo came to the board with a project similar to one pitched in the last legislative session for $95 million in TRBs and $20 million in institutional funds for a new instructional science and engineering building on the Main Campus. UTSA also wants to overhaul the Peter T. Flawn Building with $42.5 million in TRBs.